Anatomy / Physiology Overview

Respiratory System

We are going to take notes first.

Medical Terms

Acute-sharp or severe in effect; intense, painful

Chronic-persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects.

Inflammation-the body's attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens .

Edema-The increased collection of fluid into the tissue causes it to swell

Please get out your Anatomy and Disease notebook. I need to collect/check your vocabulary and handout from last Th. I know you did the work, I just need to see it, please.

Get out yesterday’s handout

Get ready for a quiz on the respiratory system

Functions of the Respiratory System

The primary function of the respiratory system is gas exchange – the addition of oxygen to and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood.

Functions of the Respiratory System

Inspiration – breathing in, filling lungs

Expiration – breathing out, emptying lungs

Functions of the Respiratory System

Respiration is the actual gas exchange between the alveoli and the capillary system in the lungs, oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide in the blood diffuses into the air.

Components of the Respiratory System

Nose

Pharynx

Larynx

Trachea

Bronchi

Lungs

Components of the Respiratory System

Nose- the nose serves to warm, moisturize, and filter the air.

Pharynx (throat)- a tubular structure about 5 inches long which serves as a passage way for both air and food.

Components of the Respiratory SystemLarynx (voice box) – a short passageway that connects the pharynx with the trachea and houses the vocal cords.

It is composed of thyroid cartilage, muscles that act to vary the larynx opening, and a mucus membrane that is its lining.

Components of the Respiratory SystemLarynx (voice box)-

The Epiglottis covers the trachea and esophagus (depending upon breathing or swallowing) to keep foreign matter out of the lungs or stomach.

The Glottis is made of vocal cords and this is where sound originates.

Components of the Respiratory SystemTrachea (wind pipe) – a tubular passageway for air about 4 ½ inches in length and 1 inch in diameter..

Bronchi – tubes that branch off the trachea and extend into the lungs.

Components of the Respiratory SystemLungs- the lungs are paired organs that occupy most of the thoracic cavity. The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes.

Bronchioles- smaller and smaller tubes that branch into the lung tissue. They are passageways for air from bronchi to the alveoli.

Components of the Respiratory System

* Alveoli- air sacs that are surrounded by tiny capillaries, where gas exchange occurs.

The lungs contain 30 million alveoli providing a surface area of about 750 square feet for the exchange of gassesThrough diffusion, oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli.

Respiratory Diseases

Asthma

Bronchitis

Emphysema

Pneumonia

Pneumothorax

Asthma

Asthma is a reversible disease characterized by spasms of the smooth muscle in the bronchi and bronchioles, and edema and inflammation of the mucous lining. This causes narrowing of the airway and production of copious amounts of mucous.

Asthma

One of the most common respiratory diseases, asthma can be caused by a number of stressors such as a respiratory tract infection, emotional upset, changes in barometric pressure or temperature, exercise, inhalation of a noxious odor, or exposure to an allergen.

Asthma

Asthma can be treated by medication, relaxation, controlled breathing, and removal of the allergen. If these procedures do not help, immediate medical attention may be necessary.

Bronchitis

An inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It occurs in both acute and chronic forms.

A viral infection is the most common cause. Noninfectious irritations, including genetic factors, air pollution, cigarette smoking, and carbon monoxide exposure

Bronchitis

The initial symptoms of bronchitis start with nasal inflammation, slight fever, sore throat, and back and muscle pains. A cough signals the beginning of bronchitis. The cough can last 2-3 weeks or longer.

Bronchitis

Management of bronchitis involves rest until fever subsides, drinking lots of water, and medications for fever and cough suppressing.

Emphysema

Anatomic alteration of the lung characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the air spaces and accompanied by destructive changes in the alveolar walls. Emphysema is irreversible and permanent.

Emphysema

Emphysema is associated with cigarette smoking or prolonged exposure to pollution or industrial dust particles.There is also an inherited form of emphysema that can occur in nonsmokers.

Pneumonia

An infection or inflammation of the alveoli.

The alveolar sacs fill up with fluid and dead WBC reducing the amount of air space in the lungs.

Coughing, fever, and fatigue

Pneumonia

A chest x-ray is necessary to diagnose pneumonia and will show increased density in the lung fields.

The acute phase of pneumonia will last 7 to 10 days.

Pneumothorax

Refers to the presence of air within the chest cavity but outside the lung. In this condition, the lung separates from the chest wall and is said to be collapsed. The volume of the lung is diminished and so the amount of the air that can be inhaled is reduced.

Pneumothorax

Symptoms include difficulty inhaling, sudden sharp chest pain, hypoxia (lack of oxygen), and cyanosis.Pneumothorax can occur if air enters the chest directly through a wound open to the outside. In an intact chest, it can also occur if air leaks out from a lung that has been lacerated by a fractured rib.

Pneumothorax

Some people have congenitally weak areas on the surface of their lungs. Occasionally, this weak area will rupture, allowing air to leak. Such an event is called a spontaneous pneumothorax.

The End

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